Cottony-cushiony goodness

It's been a whole fortnight since I talked crochet on my blog :: I do like to chatter about other aspects of my life in between times but sooner or later you know there's gonna be some hooky goodness coming from the  Attic24 household. It's inevitable really. 

But before I begin, please if you don't mind can I just mention one or two itsy bitsy blogging-related things? I've been checking in on my stats the past week or so, just to see how things are ticking over, and I was astounded to see just how many people are now regularly hopping to the Attic each day. Its getting quite busy through here! Over the weekend my page-view counter miraculously went past the 100,000 mark. Now to little ol' me, this is hugely incredible. Really :: I am thrilled and excited and loving my little corner of Blogland more than I ever thought possible. So can I just say, to all of you who take the time and trouble to drop in each day, that I love having you visit. You make my day shine.

And also I would like to say, in my bestest french accent,  "Bonjour et Bienvenue" to all the new French visitors that have found their way to me via this blog, as well as what I assume is the french equivalent of the Granny-Along blog. I did love the way that Cecile described my blog as being somewhere to "Flaner dans la couleur" which babelfish translated as "to stroll in the colour". Love that.

So, what's all this today? Cottony-cushiony goodness that's what. I don't suppose you remember way-back in the Spring when I started on this cushion cover? It was a small sort of in-between-afghans project, bridging the gap between the Granny and the Ripple. The pattern is a simple no-seams granny square, and I found it here (scroll down to the bottom of the page). I actually finished the crochet side many months ago, but had been pondering what to do at the back. I didn't fancy crocheting another square (it's quite big, 18inches across), yet I didn't think a fabric back would look right either. And then I had this idea :: I could use an old jumper, preferably one knitted in cotton as opposed to wool, which would match the cotton yarn used on the crochet side (my lovely Rowan handknit DK cotton). So I've been keeping my eyes open during my sporadic visits to charity/thrift shops, and last week I found the perfect candidate. Its a beautifully well worn, soft cotton jumper made by the Edinburgh Wool Mill, and in the perfect colour too.

I used one sleeve and the front of the jumper to make up an envelope-style back, cut slightly larger than the crochet front. I went round the edge with a zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine to stop it unraveling, then pinned the two right sides together and stitched them by hand with cotton yarn. It was a bit rough and ready, but it worked out just fine.

When I cut the front of the jumper, I thought it would be a nice touch to use the bottom ribbed edge, which would save me having to think about the unraveling tendencies of cut knitting here. I then used a contrasting shocking pink cotton yarn and a 3mm hook to crochet directly into the jumper edge :: two rows of single crochet, the second row having little chain loops added in at regular intervals. Button-hole loops see?

 

And where there are button-hole loops, there are brightly coloured buttons. My new button stash to be precise, purchased on Sunday when I visited the northern Knitting and Stitching show in Harrogate. Aren't they delicious??? I spent rather a long time gathering these buttons out of big Pick n Mix bowls of different sized buttons. I meticulously picked out as many 18mm buttons as would fit in my little pick n mix bag (133 when I counted later). I was probably the worst possible type of customer, and I am sorry Mrs ButtonCompany to have taken so much time at your stand being so jolly picky and needy. But I love these buttons very much, thank you.

So I finally stitched this cushion together last night, and am rather pleased with how it turned out.

I especially like the buttony back. And I like the fact (very much) that this cushion is already an immediate hit with the family, that Little Man spotted it as soon as he walked in to the room this morning and came to tell me how much he liked it.

The cushion is made from the same coloured cotton yarn as my hex blanket, which incidentally is coming on a treat. I have not much more to do, maybe 20 or so more hex's and it's done.

And lastly, here we have the view from the Attic24 window :: 11:53am this morning.  See how shiny-happy the weather is here today? It's joyful, it really is, and although it has nothing whatsoever to do with cottony-cushiony things, I just had to share it with you.

Hope you have a joyful, colourful, sunshiney day today too. Got some more colourful goodness to share with you tomorrow, see you then...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Janis sheldon]

I love all your beautiful colors Life is so much happier with bright colors!

[Shirley]

I love that the inner part of the square on your cushion has twisted a bit! I had the same when I made an oversized granny square blanket for a new baby using 2 different yarns - the inner coloured square just refused to be parallel with the edges. Now I know that this happens to an expert I can stop being cross with myself about it! (and anyway, baby will only throw up on it and worse, so it doesn't really matter that much!)

[Hanne Stensholt]

Hello
Sorry for my bad english.
But i has beggin om this blanket.....In island wool Butits so long time i was workingon it. So i dont find the recept on it. Please can you help me.

And i say realy thanks a lot:-)

Hug from me. i Norway:-)

[Kate]

I thought i'd better post something, because the sight of the back of this cushion made me give a loud happy groan (which the children are now imitating!). What a great idea to use an old jumper for the back of the cushion! And I love the buttons SO MUCH. I've often struggled with the idea of what to use as a backing for crochet cushions (I don't have the patience to crochet both sides). BTW, I also loved the previous post about your gorgeously decorated house - it's gone in my ideas folder for my new house (hope you don't mind)
Anyway, enough gushing...

[tara]

many thanks for your 'bonjour et bienvenue' to us, your French readers;o)...I discovered your blog in few weeks ago;o)

I'm beginner at crochet...I would love to try to crochet my first blanket...^^

May I ask you wich pattern do you usually use for Granny Square old america????

many thanks if you answer to me;o) I hope you understand me;o)
bisous***

[Liz]

Hi Lucy. I've only just found this page and I'm so pleased I have. I wondered how you'd done that cushion and now I know. Just one question though. Did you sew the jumper onto the front, on the wrong side and then turn it inside out? Does that make sense? Please help :)

[elif]

I loved all of thme. The colors are perfect..
Bye from Bodrum, Turkiye..

[lisette]

I'm making these crocheted cushions for a christmas present and it looka alot like yours (mine is a big granny square). But iff it turns out like yours, I'm so happy.
Love your blog!

[pillarboxred]

What beautiful colours - and I'm pleased to see you've used some zesty orange. I've only recently discovered how useful orange is at making other shades really pop and adding a quirly tone to a fabric. I used to hate orange but now I can't get enough.

[do you mind if i knit]

Fabulous cushion Lucy!............... And I love the row of multi-coloured buttons on the back.................... and the feast of colour on the front.................... Lovely button picture too............................

[Kitschen Pink]

just too much colour and excitement in one post! I need a cuppa! t.x

[Josie-Mary]

ooohhh I love your crochet post, lovely cushion, I like the idea of using a jumper for the back.
Thought I'd tell you the story of my/your crochet flowers..... I was playing around with the pattern you posted & saw on Hen's blog that Liberty's were doing flower brooches so I thought I'd give it ago. I made the flowers larger I made 3 & put them all together with a button in the centre. Anyway I wore it to work & a lady who owes a flower shop has asked me to supply her with some!!!! However she will only pay £3 each so I'm not sure if it's worth doing....need to get very quick at making them!! :)

[gardenymph]

Oh my God, you are a genius. :~)

[Kathryn]

How beautiful, that cushion looks devine.
The buttons are so cheerful.
With Smiles
Kathryn
Kathryn in the loft
Australia

[maria amélia]

I loved the cushion. Happy colours. Beautiful!!!

[Caroline]

hi Lucy, I'm French too and I found your blog (just like Cécile and many others I think) via Ana Maria Horner's, and what a gorgeous discover ! I wish I had half your talent (and persistence!)! What an inspiration !

[inesn]

it turned out GREAT!!

(i just love the little details you added with the buttons)

[Joanna]

If I could crochet, thats what I would do!

[Anne]

Your blog is the highlight of my day - I am a crochet lover and your work is unbelievable. Your sense of color is amazing.

[tilly rose]

Love the cushions they look fab what a great idea. I once made a cushion with a pair of old 'Burberry' trousers, expensive cushion that turned out to be, infact I think its now in the cats bed.......

Lovely view, I look out of our bedroom window, through a few trees over dartmore...

xxxx

[Lesley]

I love the colourfulness of your blog it cheers up cold bleak days!!! really like how you used an old jumper to do the back of the cushion it looks fab :-)
I had a lovely day as my painting from Vanessa arrived yesterday and how fantastic is the wrapping she does!!! i popped a pic on my blog but it doesnt do it justice it really doesnt !
Lesley x

[Hen]

Hi Luce,
The cushion looks fabulous - obviously I would expect nothing less from you! Buttons are too cute! Can't wait to see the hex blanket all finished, must be so satisfying to be nearly there. And with each finished project, the even more exciting prospect of what to do next! Have gone a bit crochet flower crazy here, will show you soon. Took my first one into my crochet course today along with your printed-out instructions so there'll be more admiring visitors coming your bloggy way!
Hen xxx

[Cele]

Beautiful cushion. atahe button detail is fabulous.

[Anna]

oh how blimmin marvelous. You truly are a genius, dearie. Do you fancy doing a house swap one day? Am thinking a week or so in the Cotswolds, for a week or so in the attic. Let me know...toodlepip!x

[periwinkle]

I was so enthralled with your lovely cushion that I nearly burnt my orange and raisin cookies - just had to leg it into the kitchen like a mad woman :-)
Lisa x